Course Overview
Editors and agents will judge a story by that first chapter… often within the first three pages. So how can a writer hook their reader? In this hands-on workshop by an award-winner fiction author, we will be discussing first chapters and first pages in popular fiction, what works and what doesn’t, how pace is your best friend, how to plant the seeds of your story and how to beef up your writing to grab an editor’s eye. All participants are asked to bring their first chapters to work on.
Learn from Award-winning Australian fiction author, Paula Roe:
Join Paula Roe, an award-winning, multi-published fiction author who will break it all down, answer your questions and explain exactly what a romance novel is/is not and why romance continues to endure (it’s not all about the kissing!). She is a regular Borders Books bestseller and one of only five Australian authors who write for Harlequin Desire, a line published by Harlequin Enterprises, the biggest romance publisher in the world. Harlequin books go out to over 28 countries and are translated into 28 languages in 114 international markets on six continents. Before publication, Paula’s writing won and placed in various contests, including Wisconsin Romance Writers Fabulous Five Silver Quill, Magnolia State Dixie First Chapter, Romance Writers of Australia’s Emerald Award and the Valerie Parv Award.
Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney. We have campuses in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt, Richmond, and Ryde. Enrol now!
What you will learn
Course outline
In this course you will learn:
- To identify popular fiction genres
- The tools on how to engage their readers from page one
- What chapter hooks are
- What pace, story and rhythm are
- How to edit for maximum impact
Course outcome
By the end of the workshop you will:
- Be able to define your chosen genre
- Have a greater understanding of what engages a reader
- Be able to write an effective chapter hook
- Identify areas of writing to improve
- Develop the framework to plot a story
What you need to know
Entry requirements
The ability to read and write in English at an intermediate level or higher.
What you need to provide
Please bring a:
- Notepad and pen
- A first chapter to work on